Monday
Aug102009

More On First-To-File from TWiL's Patent Panelists (#twil #twil28)

Adam Bagwell, Matt Buchanan, and Steve Nipper joined me on TWiL last week to talk about patent issues. Listener Jim Shaver emailed (denise@twit.tv) to ask,

What is the advantage of first to patent system? I understand how it is advantageous to lawyers, but how does it benefit people who invent things? Would it not have a chilling effect on innovation if I can only invent things if I have lawyers to help me patent inventions?

I ran Jim's good questions by the panelists, who, sharp as they are, had the following to say:

[Matt Buchanan] Supporters of a move to first to file believe that it will benefit all stakeholders because it will eliminate the timely and costly 'interference' procedure now in place for situations where the date of invention is at issue. Interestingly, most patent attorneys don't view first to file as advantageous to them because it will place pressure on them to file applications quickly once received from a client....the specter of malpractice looms here.

First to file makes no change on your ability to invent things and your decision regarding patent protection. If you have an invention, you can choose to pursue patent protection...or not. This is true under both first to invent and first to file.

I actually view the change to first to file as beneficial to small/independent inventors. Many in this group fear that large companies will be able to beat them to the patent office because they have sophisticated administrative systems in place. The reality, I think, is that companies are slow to act....and individual inventors may end up winning the race to the Office more than they think.

I hope this provides some useful insight. Feel free to contact me if you have any additional questions and/or comments.

[Steve Nipper]  I agree. I think most corporations ("on the advice of counsel") are less likely to be able to file quick and dirty provisional patent applications like an independent inventor will be...

[Update: Adam Bagwell] Keep in mind, though, there are also others who believe that switching to "First-to-File" system will result in patent applications that are prepared perhaps too quickly, in the race to the file with the PTO, as Matt notes in his comments. These quickly prepared applications may not be as thorough and complete in describing the invention as before - which could in turn lead to dimished protection for a client's invention and/or confusion on the part of public as to what the patent application intended to cover.

[Steve Nipper] I totally agree.

Thanks guys!  More thoughts on first-to-file, pro or con?  Comments are open.

Monday
Aug102009

Garbage Robots Explain Law v. Tech

Here's a cute and informative video from soon-to-be law student Bill:

The video was created/submitted as part of a law school scholarship contest, and Bill is one of the 10 finalists; if you enjoyed it, vote for it here (no registration required, just a click).  Check out the other finalists while you're at it.

Wednesday
Aug052009

Patent TWiL on Friday (#twit #twil #twil28)

This Friday, August 7, this WEEK in LAW will be live on TWiT.tv at 11 a.m. Pacific. You can watch at live.twit.tv, or on Stickam or UStream. Chat with us real-time at irc.twit.tv or on FriendFeed (the Stickam and UStream channels have their own chat as well, but I won't be monitoring those while we're on.) If you can't make it live, you can, of course, always subscribe in iTunes or your favorite podcatcher (more options here).

Guests are patent lawyers Adam Bagwell, Matt Buchanan, and Steve Nipper. Discussion notes are being aggregated here. So far we plan to discuss Volumedia's "podcasting patent," patent lawsuit abuse, patent reform, Web 2.0 and uspto.gov, Peer-to-Patent, and more. Leave a comment here, tag something for:thisweekinlaw in del.icio.us, or @ me on Twitter to let us know what else is on your mind.

Saturday
Jul182009

The New Flying Nun

There's much to enjoy about flying Virgin America (just having a/c power at the seats is such a gift), but my favorite thing might just be the nun in the safety video.  She comes in at 3:40, above.

 

Friday
Jun122009

Not The First Time I've Had This Request

Sprinkled Donuts

Sprinkled Donuts
Originally uploaded by Incase Designs

Child (after reading a book about healthy eating and emerging with precisely the opposite take-away):  Sometime I want to eat more donuts.  With sprinkles on them.

Parent:  I'll keep that in mind.

Child:  Do you know how to make them?

Parent:  No, I don't.

Child (exasperated):  Unh!  Get a cookbook!